Conflict ruling hits plans for city's tallest tower

Plans to build Greater Manchester's tallest tower have suffered a setback after a planning approval process was ruled to have been affected by a conflict of interest.

Henley Investment Management secured approval last November for plans to partly demolish Regent Retail Park and build about 3,300 homes across 10 buildings. The development would include a 78-storey skyscraper, making it the tallest building in the region.

The scheme was approved despite opposition from more than 460 residents, who raised concerns about over-development and pressure on local infrastructure.

Objections were also lodged by Salford MP Rebecca Long-Bailey and several current and former councillors.

However, the approval process is now set to be reconsidered after a complaint by the Save Regent Retail Park campaign group was upheld by Salford City Council's legal department.

The complaint found there had been a "procedural conflict of interest" involving councillor Philip Cusack, then chair of the planning committee, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

At the time of the decision, Cusack was also a director of Derive, Salford City Council's social housing company. He said he had been unaware of any conflict of interest.

Henley's proposals included a commitment to provide 660 homes for social rent. The campaign group argued this created the potential for future involvement by Derive and therefore represented a possible conflict of interest.

Responding to the findings, Cusack said: "At the time of the application being heard, I understood that there was no contractual relationship between Derive and the developer.

"In addition, I was informed by council officers that the social or affordable housing element of the scheme would not be dealt with through the planning application but would be dealt with separately through the lease. For both of those reasons, I believed that I had no interest to declare."

The planning application remains visible on Salford City Council's planning portal, although the decision notice has been removed.

A Salford City Council spokesperson confirmed the application remains under consideration and has not been withdrawn. The scheme is expected to return to the Planning and Transportation Regulatory Panel at a future date.

The spokesperson said: "It is necessary for a procedural matter to be addressed. The previous resolution to grant permission for development at Regent Retail Park was subject to conditions and completion of a legal agreement.

"It is not necessary for the application to be withdrawn; it will be reconsidered by the Planning Panel."

A spokesperson for Henley said: "We are pressing ahead with our development to build over 3,000 new homes, around a quarter of which will be social rented accommodation and supporting public amenities for the local community.

"We are committed to working with the council to advance our plans through the appropriate procedures as we are advised.

"We are aware of the council's internal procedural issue, which is frustrating, but we have a close ongoing dialogue and they are keeping us updated."

Local residents have pledged to continue opposing the development.

Campaigner Miranda Clarke said: "The reversal of the decision shows the strength of our community when we stand together.

"We won't accept development that takes from our area, adds no value, or ignores real concerns. As Henley returns, we'll unite again to stand up for our community."

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